We are loving it here! It feels so safe and relaxing. My kids have made friends with the 5 kids in the neighboring camper. We scrapped other plans to let the kids play this morning, and the boys caught frogs for hours with their younger kids, while my girls played with their older daughter.

After lunch we headed to old Nauvoo again. I really wanted to walk the Trail of Hope. This is the road heading down to the Mississippi River from the city. This is the route the early saints took on their way out of town. They were fleeing a mob who had killed their people, as well as their leader, Joseph smith. It was dead of winter and they were ill-prepared, beginning a 1200 mile journey to find a place they could belong. They swept their floors, shut up their houses and walked away, knowing they would never be back. They we courageous. 

The kids wanted to tour the boot shop, so they did. Then we headed to the family life center. The other family we met said you could spend hours there, but my kids have done most of these activities, so we didn’t last as long.

  
 
We stopped to check out the visitors center and some beautiful sculptures out back.

   
   
Dinner, back to the rv to drop the kids off before Deon and I were off to the temple. It has been too long, years, since we were able to go. Finally felt like a safe situation to leave them. 

It was amazing. I loved every minute, and felt the Spirit so strong. I don’t know when we will feel safe enough to do it again, but I can’t wait. 

And, the lord let us know we were in the right place at the right time. We ran into the parents of Deon’s childhood friend in the temple, who live 15 minutes from our hometown! Definitely a double-take moment! So we got some pics outside and chatted for a hour. It’s nice to feel that familiarity. I think  that is what my father in heaven was intending to show me: He knows me, and loves me. It was a great night.

   
 
Hi, brother and sister kessinger!